A Japanese research team has completed the first human safety trial of enteral ventilation, a process in which oxygen is delivered to the body through the rectum, bypassing the lungs.
The procedure aims to find new ways to support patients with respiratory problems by providing oxygen to the body through alternative means, allowing patients’ lungs time to heal.
The study, published on October 20, 2025, involved 27 healthy male volunteers aged 20 to 45. Participants received between 25 and 1,500 milliliters of non-oxygenated perfluorodecalin, a liquid known for its ability to carry oxygen, and were asked to retain it for 60 minutes.
The trial results
Researchers reported no serious adverse effects, with mild symptoms such as bloating and abdominal discomfort noted in some cases. All participants’ blood and organ function tests remained within normal ranges.
The procedure did not yet test whether the method can effectively deliver oxygen into the bloodstream, with researchers noting that future trials will focus on assessing actual oxygen transfer using oxygenated perfluorocarbon.
The work builds on earlier animal studies that showed mammals could survive low-oxygen conditions when oxygen was administered rectally. While still experimental, scientists say the approach could one day provide an emergency oxygen supply for patients whose lungs are too damaged to function on their own.
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